APRIL FOOL! Dons score a selfie with new rule change

‘Goal of the Month’ being scrapped for ‘Selfie Celebration of the Month’

Any opposition player ‘photo-bombing’ a selfie will be shown a yellow card

MK Dons have played their part the pilot scheme for the selfie phenomenon which is set to take over football next season.

New rules will see ‘selfies’ encouraged as goal celebrations in next season’s Capital One Cup in a bid to bring fans closer to the action.

The Football League has ratified the move proposed by cup sponsor Capital One, which will see celebration zones labelled ‘Selfie Spots’. These will be installed in all four corners of any stadium hosting a fixture in the 2015/16 competition, and will be positioned to give fans a starring role in the snaps.

The innovation was trialled behind closed doors at stadium:mk this week, and Dons striker Giorgio Rasulo was all smiles as he put the ‘Selfie Spots’ through their paces.

“It’s going to give the game great exposure,” he said. “And it will inspire us to score more goals and capture those spectacular moments.

“Taking a selfie is a lot like scoring a goal - head position, body posture, feet position. It’s all the same.”

As part of the new rule, players will be allowed play with a mobile phone held in a specially designed armband, though each selfie will add one minute to stoppage time at the end of each half.

Players caught photobombing any celebration selfies will be booked for the infringement.

Drew Barrand, marketing director at The Football League, said: “Here at the Football League we are constantly trying to incorporate the latest trends to ensure our fans are receiving the best possible experience. Capital One and The Football League identified this innovation as a direct response to fan demand.”

Jason Carr, head of sponsorship at credit card company Capital One said: “The selfie phenomenon is here to stay and we felt this new initiative will create a stronger connection between the fans and the players.”

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